tourism

Many people visit the Ryonggang Folklore Park in the city of Nampho, which was built as a cultural recreation ground for the people.

Probably the fact that the old home of Kim Ung So, a patriotic general of whom the Korean nation is proud, is preserved in its original state and his descendants are still living there arouses their curiosity. 

Built in December 2022, the park is largely divided into the historical education and folk sports sections. The former includes the house of Kim Ung So who rendered distinguished services in the fight against Japanese invaders during the Imjin Patriotic War between 1592 and 1598, his tomb and other historical relics. And the latter comprises a folk dance ground, an archery range, swinging, seesaw and ssirum(Korean wrestling) sites, lodgings and other facilities. The house of Kim Ung So was registered as historic site of national treasure value No. 142. 

As the folklore park was built in Okto-ri of Ryonggang County, a base of great significance in improving the cultural and emotional life of the people and cultivating the spirit of valuing the proud history and tradition of the nation, native village, motherland and everything of their own had been provided, said Kim Un Yong, a descendant of Kim Ung So in the 15th generation.

Saying that many other descendants of Kim Ung So live in the village, he conducted us to the time-honoured house preserving its original state. 

He noted that President Kim Il Sung visited Okto-ri of Ryonggang County in February 1970 and gave an instruction to preserve Kim Ung So’s house well as he was a patriotic general who fought hard during the Imjin Patriotic War. Today, a folklore park has splendidly been built here with a historical relic of national treasure value under the close concern of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, he added.

In the wide area for education, many working people and students heard the explanation of the lecturer with great interest.

Her stories about Kim Ung So, who had performed a great meritorious deed in the fight to defeat the Japanese invaders during the Imjin Patriotic War and Kye Wol Hyang, a loyal woman who helped Kim and devoted her life to the country, and other stories about several volunteer armies made visitors feel great pride in their nation with an indomitable spirit and a high sense of patriotism who had never feared death in the fight against foreign invaders. Saying that the park takes an important position in education of students in patriotism, a teacher noted that it has strong cognitive and educative effects on the students as they come and see it with their own eyes. 

On display in the historical education section are such historical relics and remains as pipha-shaped and narrow bronze daggers of Ancient Joson, the monument to the Mausoleum of King Kwanggaetho in the period of Koguryo, a stone lantern showing the architecture of Koryo Kingdom and a rain gauge in the period of the feudal Joson dynasty. They graphically showed excellent creative skills and wisdom of the Korean ancestors.  

Visitors said in unison that as they looked round the folk park, they swelled with great national pride and self-esteem. 

They had a pleasant time, having photos taken against the background of the folk village showing the customs of dwelling houses in different parts of the country.

Also marvellous was the panorama of the folk sports section which gave visitors a fresh feeling with a fine mixture of the superb view of green forests and the beautiful landscape of the lakeside. 

The folklore park lures many people, implanting the spirit of patriotism and soul of the nation in the minds of working people and the younger generation.